Feeding device



o. H. HANSEN.

FEEDING DEVICE.

APPLICATION FILED SEPT. 9. 19H3.

Patented May 4, 1920.

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UNITED STATES PATENT oEEioE.

OSWALD H. HANSEN, 0F PORT WASHINGTON, vWISCONSIN7 ASSIGNOR OF ONE-HALF T0 THE WISCONSIN CHAIR COMPANY, 0F PORT WASHINGTON. WISCONSIN.

FEEDING DEVICE.

Patented May 4, 1920.

Original application led January 28, 1918, Serial No. 214,205. Divided and this application flied September 9, 1918. Serial No. 253,177.

To all whom t may concern Be it known that I, OswALD H. HANSEN, a citizen of the United States, residing at Port Washington, in the county of Ozaukee and State of Wisconsin, have invented a certain new and useful Improvement in Feeding Devices, of whichthe following is a-specification.

This invention relates in general to improvements in the construction and operation of devices for 'conveying and feeding bodies, and relates specifically to improvements in apparatus for conveying and feeding receptacles such as tin cans and the like.

An object ofthe invention is to provide a conveying and feeding device which is simple in construction and efficient in operation.

One of the more specific objects of the in vention is to provide power actuated means for positivel vfeeding receptacles such as tin cans, to fil ing the receptacles. Another specific object is to provide a feeding device which is operable at high speed. A, further specific object is to provide means for feeding receptacles to filling machines at predetermined regular intervals. Still another specific object i's to provide a feeder which may be operated either manually or from some source of mechanical power.` A further specific object is to provide means for adjusting the feeder to operate efficiently with receptacles of various sizes. Another object is to provide various improved details of construction and operation which will reduce to a l minimum the cost of manufacture and increase to a maximum the efficiency,l of the device. y

` The present application vis a division of Ygpplication 'Serial Number 214,205, filed anuary 28, 1918.

A clear conception of an embodiment of the invention may be had by referring to the drawing accompanying and forming a part of this specification, in which like reference characters designate vthe same or similar parts in the various views.

Figure 1 is a part sectionall elevation of a can conveying, righting and feeding device adapted to deliver cans to a filling machine.

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary central vertical section through the lower portion of a can filling machine, the section being taken at right angles to the plane of section of Flg. 1.

ling machines, without injur- Vspecifically applied to-a conveying and feeding device for delivering tin cans to filling machines, it is not intended to limit the scope thereby. The term can as emplo ed herein refers to any form of receptacle. lhe principles of the invention are applicable generally to devices for conveying and feedin@ bodies.

eferring specifically to Fig. 2 of the drawing, the portion of the canv filling machine disclosed comprises a pair of spaced vertical side frames 17 connected at their medial portions by means of a horizontal can supporting frame 15,'and at theirv lower portions by means of tie rods 39. These frames 17 forni a support for the material measuring mechanism, not shown, which is 'attached to the upper portion of the frames by means of a vertical rod 36. The annular seriesof funnels 10 mounted upon a funnel support 12 having a central bore engaging the shaft 11, is also drivinglyconnected to the bevel Igear 16 by means of the vertical rod 36. The funnels 10 and funnel support 12 are vertically adjustable relatively to the conveying element 13 by means "of one or more vertical jack screws 35 which engage screw threaded openings in the support 12 and which abut the element 13 at 'their lower ends. The cans 19 are urged along a horizontal plane upper surface of the supporting frame 15 by means of the element 13 and are guided in a circular course by means of the segmental can guide 14 which is also ,supported from the frame 15. The horizongear 16. The shaft 2O has a thrust collar 37 thereon which engages one of the shaft bearings. The outer extremity of the shaft 2O is provided with a collar 71 engageable with an end of the hub of the driving pulley 21 which derives power from any suitable source. A friction or otherjtypeA of clutch 23 controllable by means of a manually operable lever 61 having a stationary fulcrum 64, serves to form a driving connection between the pulley 21 and the shaft 20. The'- a cylindrical delivery portion provided with a helical projection 62 and having its opposite end tapered or of frusto conical shape, see Fig. 1. Thecan supporting and feeding drumI 54 is mounted upon a counter shaft 53 supported in bearings in the bracket 60. The shaft 53 has a. bevel pinion 52 secured to an end thereof which meshes with the main bevel gear 16. A jaw clutch 66 operable byjmeans of a lever 63 serves to produce a driving connection between the shaft 53 and the drum 54. The lever 63 is provided with a brake element 67 which engages notches in the end of the drum 54 at the moment of disconnection of the clutch 66, and thus positively stops the drum 54.

Thelcan runway leading to the drum 54 comprises a lower guide 51, an upper guide 48 and two pairs of side guides 49, see Figs. 1 and 3. The cans 19 are delivered down the vertical portion of the runway in a horizontal position and are delivered upon the drinn 54 in an inclined position as shown in Fig. 1. Leaf springs 68 secured to the side guides 49 on opposite sides of the i'uiiway resiliently engage and serve to retard the cans 19, keeping theinin contact with the feeding projection 62. The guides 48, 49 are made up of short strips secured to adjustable elements 73, 69 respectively. The side elements 69 are adjustable inwardly bv means of thumb screws 75 coacting in transverse slots in the top and bottomplates 72,

70 respectively. The element 73 is inwardly` adjustable by means of thumb screws ooacting in transverse slots 74 formed on the plate 7.2. This arrangement provides means for adjus.ting the can runway for cans of various sizes.

Various other details of the can supplying and delivering mechanism ai'e similar to those disclosed in application Serial Number 197,809, filed October 22, 1917, and need not be disclosed specifically herein.

- chine.

During the normal operation of the machine,` the operating lever 61 upon being moved in an anti-clockwise ,direction as viewed in Fig. 2, drvingly connects the power pulley 21 with the counter shaft 20 through the clutch 23. The rotation of the shaft 20 is transmitted through the pinion 18 and gear 16 to the elements 13, 12 and to the measuring mechanism, through the main shaft 11.

The empty cans 19 are delivered by vgravity through the can runway and are delivered in inclined position upon the tapered portion of the rotating drum 54, see Fig. 1. During normal operation of the machine, the lever 63 is thrown to the extreme right and the drum 54 is being rotated from the gear 16 through the pinion 52, shaft 53 and clutch 66. Due to the difference in peripheral velocity of successive portions of the conical drum 54, the successive cans 19 which are delivered to and rest by gravity upon the drum surface, are simultaneously urged forward and given rotary motion about their own axes. As the successive cans 19 assume vertical positions they are caught by the helical projection 62formed on the cylindrical portion of thedrum 54 and are urged forward and around the advancing radial hooks of thel element 13. The leaf springs 68 coperating with the sides of the cans 139 frictionally retard the cans 19 and maintain thein in engagement with the projection 62. The ldelivery of cans 19 to the machine may be quickly stopped by swinging the lever 63 to the left thereby disengaging the clutch 66 and simultaneously positively stopping the rotation of the drum 54 by applying the brake 67. The feed drum 54 entirely supports the passingcans 19 and has been found to operate satisfactorily even without the helical projection and the springs 68.

It is common practice in the art of canning peas," to interchangeably pack different grades of peas. It is necessary in changing over from one grade to another, to entirely clear the machine of the preceding f grade. This may be readily accomplished with the` device of the present invention, by swinging the lever 61\to the extreme right and disconnecting the power when the last batch of peas has left the supply hopper. The machine may then be operated manually by turning the hand wheel 45, until the peas have all been discharged from the ma- A supply of the new gradeof peas may then be placed in the supply hopper, when tne machine is again ready for power operation. the nioving parts are all of relatively lightbonstruction, manual operation of both the material measuring and can feed means is comparatively readily accomplished. j

It Will be noted, that the feeding device automatically rights the cans 19 and positively delivers them to the filling machine, Without in any manner injuring them. The device is operable at exceptionally high speeds and may be readily adjusted to 0perate with cans of various sizes. The delivery of cans may be quickly stopped, With? l. As an article of manufacture, a can feed drum having contiguous cylindrical and tapered surfaces of revolution, said tapered surface being formed by revolving a curved line about an axis, and the straight line generatrix lof said cylindrical surface being tangent to said curved line generatrix of said tapered surface.

2. As an article of manufacture, a can feed drum having contiguous cylindrical and tapered surfaces of revolution, and a helical projection associated With said drum adjacent to said cylindrical surface.

3. As an article of manufacture, a can feed drum having contiguous cylindrical and tapered surfaces of revolution, said tapered-surface being of diameter equal to that of said cylindrical surface directly adjacent to the latter and increasing in diameter receding from said cylindrical surface.

.4. In a 'can feeding device, an element rotatable' about an axis and having axially spaced revolving portions located at different distances from said axis, and means for positioninga plane ended can with different portions of its endin simultaneous engagement with said element portions.

' 5. In a can feeding device, an element rotatable about an axis and having differentially movable axially spaced portions,

and means for, positioning a vplane'ended' can with different portions`ef its end in simultaneous engagement with said element portions.

.6. In a can feeding device, a rotary drum having differentially revoluble portions, and means for placing a can upon said drum with its front and rear bottom portions simultaneously in engagement With said drum portions.

7. In a can feeding device,'an element rotatable about an axis and havingaxially spaced revolving portions located at differ-A ent distances from said axis, and means for 'positioning a can with front and rear portions of its bottom in simultaneous engagementivith said element portions.

8. In a can feeding device, an element rotatable about an axis and having differentially movable axially spaced portions, and means for positioning a can with front and rear portions of its bottom in simultaneous engagement With said element portions.

9. In a can feeding device, a tapered drum rotatable about a horizontal axis, and means for placing a cylindrical can upon said drum so that the can axis intersects said axis of rotation.

10. In a can feeding device, a tapered drum rotatable about an axis, and means for placing a cylindrical can into engagement with said drum so that the can axis intersects said axis of rotation. j

11. In a can feeding device, a drum having contiguous tapered and cylindrical surfaces of revolution, means for rotating said drum about the axis of revolution of said surfaces, and means for guiding a' can along said drum with the central axis4 of said can in the vertical plane of said axis of revolution.

l2.' In a can feeding device, a drum having contiguous tapered and cylindrical'surfaces of revolution, means for rotating said drum about the axis of revolution of said surfares, and means for placing a can upon said drum with the central axis of said can in the vertical plane of said axis of revolution.

13. In a can feeding device, a drum having tapered and cylindrical portions, a can transporting helix associated with said drum at said cylindrical portion, means for rotating said drum about an axis, and means for gulding a cylindrical can along said drum with the can axis ,intersecting the axis of rotation of said drum.

14. In a can feeding device, a drum having tapered and cylindrical concentric portions, a can `transporting helix associated with said cylindrical portion, 'means for simultaneously rotating said drum and said helix about a horizontal axis, and means for' placing a cylindrical can upon said drum with the can axis in the vertical plane of the axis of rotation of said drum.

15. In 4a can feeding device, a drumhaving contiguous tapered and cylindrical surfaces. of revolution, means for rotating said drum about the axis of revolution of said surfaces While said axis is horizontally disposed, and means for placing a cylindrical can upon said drum with its axis perpendicular to a generatrix of one of said surfaces.

16. In a can feeding device, a drum having contiguous tapered and cylindrical surfaces of revolution, means for rotating said drum about the axis of revolution of said surfaces While said axis is horizontally disposed, and means for placing a cylindrical can upon said drum With its axis perpenlicular to a generatrix' of said tapered surace.

- faces of revolution, means for rotating said drum about the axis of revolution of said surfaces while said axis is horizontally disposed, and means for placing a cylindrical can upon the uppermost longitudinal generatrix of said surfaces.

19. In a can feeding device, a drum having tapered and cylindrical surfaces of revelution, a can transporting helix associated with said drum at said cylindrical surface only, means for rotating said drum about the axis of revolution of said surfaces, and means for placing a can upon said drum so that said can is transported along said tapered drum surface by virtue of the tapered formation of said surface and along said cylindrical surface by virtue of said helix.

20. In a can feeding device, a drum having contiguous tapered and cylindrical surfaces of revolution, a can transporting helix associated with lsaid drum at said cylindrical surface, means for rotating said drum about the axis of revolution of said surfaces, and means for placing a cylindrical can upon said drum with its bottom in engagement With the part of said tapered surface having greatest diameter whereby said can is simultaneously rotated about its own axis and transported along said tapered surface by virtue of the differential speed of said surface and is subsequently urged alongy said cylindrical surface by virtue of the engagement between said helix and the rear of the can.

21. In a can feeding device, a rotary drum having a surface formed with revolving portions of different diameters, and means for positioning a can with different portions of its bottom in simultaneous engagement with said surface portions.

22. In a can feeding device, a rotary drum having a surface formed with differentially movable portions, and means for positioning a can with different portions of its bottom in simultaneous engagement with said surface portions.

23. In a can feeding device, a rotary drum having a tapered surface of revolution, and means for positioning a can with different portions of its bottom in simultaneous engagementvwith said surface.

24. In a can feeding device, a drum having a cylindrical portion, acan transporting helix associated with said drum at said cylindrical portion, means for rotating said drum about an axis, and means for guiding a can along said drum with the can axis intersecting the axis of rotation of said drum, said drum constituting the sole support for the weight of said can.

25. In a can feeding device, a drum having a cylindrical portion a can transporting helix associated with said cylindrical por tion, means for simultaneously rotating said drum and said helix about a horizontal axis, and means for placing a cylindrical can upon said drum with the can axis in the vertical plane of the axis of rotation of said drum, said drum constituting the 4sole support for the weight of said can.

In testimony whereof, the signature of the inventor is affixed hereto.

OSWALD H. HANSEN. 

